Extensible roller skate having resiliently mounted trucks



EXTENSIBLE ROLLER SKATE HAVING RESILIENTLY MOUNTED TRUCKS Filed July l, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l c. E. JONES ET AL March s, 1960 JNI/ENToRfl af/es fo/zes M Il@ mi Z/c'm G GWV/e ifs- March 8, 1960 c. E. JONES ETAL 2,927,798

EXTENSIBLE ROLLER SKATE HAVING RESILIENTLY MOUNTED TRUCKS Filed July l, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 16 .2f y f3 IN VEN TOR5'.

r 2,927,798 Patented Mar. s, 1960 EXTENSIBLE ROLLER SKATE HAVING RESILI- ENTLY MOUNTED *TRUCKS Charles E. Jones, Chicago, and William Crowle, Berwyn, lll., assignors to Manning Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, lll., aA corporation of Illinois Application July 1, 1958, Serial No. 745,863 Y.

8 Claims. (Cl. 280-11.26)

The invention relates to improvements in skates and more particularly to the novel construction and assembly of the component parts thereof. j

The skate embodying the present invention and disclosed herein, is fabricatedin Vpart from tough nylon plasticorpther suitablel tough wearresisting material. The skatecomprises but a'minimum number of parts all of which are inexpensive to manufacture and are easily and quickly assembled in such a manner that the skate Will withstand extreme abuse and may be adjusted readily through a range of sizes within the physical lim its of its construction. More particularly, the skate includes a heel and a toe portion,- each of which is molded and `is reinforced to withstand considerable abuse to which such parts are ordinarily subjected. Each portion includes means on which to mount and secure a novel shock absorbing Wheel carrying bracket, or truck, and novel means for receiving a connecting bar which bridges the heel and toe portions and has means associated with said bar and saidportions which affords meanspwhereby the said portions may be adjusted toward and away from one another and Vrelative to the bar during skate size adjustment. Both portions have novel means thereon to secure the skate to the shoe of the wearer.

`It is an object of the invention to provideV a skate which is ruggedly constructed and assembled in a novel manner.

Another object is to provide a skate of the character of which, when considered infconnection with the following description, the invention, its mode of constructiQIrl, assembly andjoperatiou, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or `similar parts .throughout the several figures of the drawings: p

- Fig. 1 is atop plan view of a skate embodying the features of the invention. l

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the skate taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the skate, the wheel truck onv 'the toe portion removed.

Fig. 4 is a transverse'sectional view taken substantially showing n on line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 isa transverse sectional viewv taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2. .l

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the toe strap. K Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the toe portion. y

Y Referring to ythe accompanying drawings, the roller skate illustrated comprises a toe portion 11 and a heel described with novelly constructed molded heel and toe y portions.

Another object is to provide Vauskate of the character described with novel means in the heel and toe portions thereof to receive a bridging connecting bar telescoped therein and secured thereto for adjustment.

Another object is to provide heel and toe skate portions with novel means integral therewith for seating a Wheel carrying truck on each portionvand for securing the trucks in place. l

Another object is to provide novelly constructed shock absorbing wheel trucks.

Another object is to provide a novel toe strap for a skate.

Another object is to provide a skate of the character describedvwhich is not expensive to manufacture, is easy to assemble and to adjust,l and very serviceable in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear'as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and` a Vcombination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in ,Y Vthe accompanying drawings, :and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made withportion 12, connected together end-to end for size adjustment by a bridging connecting bar or channel 13. Each of the portions 11 and 12 is fabricated from suitable moldable plastic material, such as nylon plastic, so as to be very durable and wear resisting while retaining a suflicient amount of resiliency to resist breakage, chipping, etc.

As illustrated, the toe portion 12 is fabricated in lone piece and it includes a top Wall 14 having an edgetlange 15 on its perimeter extending downwardly from its'top wall and merging on the end 16 of. said top wall in a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending flanges or webs k17 defining between them a'longitudinal inverted channel 18 that opens onto said end 16. The webs 17 extendinwardly from said end 16 and merge with side walls 19 of a hollow boss 21 that opens onto the top surface of the top wall, as shown, and has a connecting end Wall 22 (Fig. 2) and a iioor 23.

The side of the hollow boss 21 facing the end 16 is open to admit one end of the connecting channel'bar 13 when the latter is slid endwise into the inverted channel 18. The telescoped end of the channel bar 13, which is rectangular in section, will therefore be seated snugly between the webs 17 and side walls 19 and between the bottom surface of the top wall and the top surface ofV the lloor 23. The specific structure of the channel bar 13 and the manner of securing it adjustably to the toe portion will be described presently.

The side walls 19 of the boss 21 extend below the floor 23, as at 19a, and they are substantially triangular shaped as shown,V and preferably are interconnected yfor strengthening by a plurality of lateral reinforcing webs 24 integral with said walls and floor.

The heel portion l1 is fabricated ina fashion similar to the toe portion and it includes 'a top wall 25 having an upstanding heel Stop 26 on Vits rearmost end formedvofA two material thicknesses 26a and 2Gb with a space be-VV opposed or front end 29 of the heel portion and they` terminate at and merge with a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending depending iianges vor webs 17a defining between them, a longitudinal inverted'channef that` opensonto the end 29 to admit the connecting bar y 13l thereinto. The remaining structure ofthe-heel portion is comprised of a hollowfboss 21a which corresponds in all of its details to the hollow boss 21 on the toe` portion and like numerals, followed by the letter a are used to identify the corresponding parts.

The toeV portion l2 and the heel portion Il are each provided on the bottom faceo its top wall with a pair of tapped bosses 3l, 32 and 31a, 32a, respectively,V for a purpose to be explained presently.

The channel barv i3 is formedv preferablyof extruded aluminum with parallel side flanges 33 and a depressed center area 34; defining longitudinal ribs 35.' When the channel bar is fitted into the inverted channels on the bottom faces of the heel and toe portions,V the ribs 35 are disposed upwardly so as to accommodate the tapped p bosses 31, 31a in the space therebetween.Y These bosses are of a length to substantially seat againstl the, top face of the intermediate wall of the channelv bar, and' saidwall is, slotted longitudinally, as at 36, so as to receive therethrough screws 37, 37a, respectively, for securing` the bar adjustably to the heel andV toe'portions'. The screws 37, 37a also afford means for securing one end of a wheel truck 38 or 38a to the toe and heel portions respectively.

The wheel trucks 38, 38a are identical and only the assembly 38' will be described in detail, it being understood that the description of one is equally applicable to the other. For purposes of clarity, the respective parts ofV the other truck assembly y33a are identified by the same numerals as are the respective parts of the assembly 3S, followed by the letter a.v'

Referring now to the truck assembly 38 on the toe portion l2, said assembly includes a substantially lV- shaped metal strapv39 adapted to be nested, over the bottom of the boss structure 21. The ends of said strap define ears iti and kt1 respectively, both of which are apertured, the former being seated' against the bottom face of the connecting bar with its aperture in registering alignment with the tapped boss 31 so. as to receive the screw 37 therethrough. The other ear 41 is seated against the tapped boss 32 and is secured thereto by a screw 4Z.y

One wall of the V-shaped strap 39 is apertured to receive therethrough the downwardly extending legs 43 of a U-shaped metal bracket 44 seated on the upper or inside face of said Wall. A block of suitably resilient material 45, such as rubber, is seated against the bottom or outside face of the said apertured wall, between the legs 43. A substantially U-shaped strap, including a bottom wall 46 and upstanding end walls 47, is then fitted over the bottom of the block 4S with its end walls embracing the legs 43. The legs 43, block 45 and said lend walls have registering holes to receive a pin 48 which secures the parts together for limited rocking movement about the block 4S. An axle 49, secured as by welding, to the bottom wall 4,6 affords a mounting for a pair of wheels 51,.

It should be apparent at this time that the wheel truck Y assembly is secured' firmly to the toe portion by screw 42 and that the screw 37, when tightened, also secures the assembly firmly. in place. Thescrew 37 may be loosened Vsufficiently to permit sliding adjustment of the toe portion relative to the connecting bar 11.3, and after which it may be again tightened.

T he structure is such that the load carried by the wheels 51 is distributed through the wheel truckV assembly di-.V

rectly to the top wall i4 of the toe portion through the bosses 3l, 32 and that some of the load is absorbed and, further distributed, by the connecting bar i3 interpose between the boss 3l and one end of the truck, throughout the areas of the top wall in contact with said bar. rihe skate is attached to the shoe of a wearer by means of a heel strap 52 and a toe strap 53'. The heel strap is threaded through the Vend slots 27' in the double walled heel stop 26'. The toe strap Si,v best shown in Fig. 6, preferably ismelded Suitable plastic. material and j extended beneath the toeA portion 112 forwardly 0f the tapped boss 32, as illustrated in Fig. 3. When so positioned, the narrow bridging portion 58 affords clearance for the boss 321V and its widened portion is engagedv in notches di (Fig. 7) formed in the perimeter flange 15.

, These notches 6I are of' a length less than the width of the strap atl the edge` notchesU 59 and;r the endk edges of the ange notches 61 are recessed, as at 62, to a depth affording a maximum notch length sufficient to receive the strap snapped snugly thereinto and thereby retain the strap in place on the toe portion.

I t is believed that the invention, its mode ofjconstruction and assembly, and many ofits advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without` further description, and' it should also-be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has'been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capableV of wide variation within the purview of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed and desired to secure byfLetters Patent of the United States is: f

l. A skate comprising a heel and a toe portion eachv having a ilat top wall, said portions being arranged end to end, a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal webs integral with and depending from the bottom face ofV eachy top wall, the webs on each portionY defining with the respective top walls inverted channels, said channels opening onto the opposed ends of said portions, a connectingV bar extending between said portions and having its ends telescoped into the channels, a oor bridging the webs for a part of their length to define with the said webs a hollow boss on eachy portion, saidV bosses having their cores opening onto the top surface ofthe respective portion, wheel carryingl brackets one nested' over each boss, apertured ears one on each end of each bracket one seated against the bottom of the respective top wall and the other against the connecting bar, means securing the said one ear of each bracket to the respective top wall rigidly, and means extending through the other earof each bracket and through the connecting bar to secure the said other ears to the respective portions, said connecting bar being slottedto receive said last named means' therethrough so as to permit adjustment of the connectingbar relative to the heel and, toe portions.

2. A skate comprising a heel and a toe portion each having a fiat top Wall, said portions being arranged end to end, a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal webs integral with and depending from the bottom face of each top wall, the webs on each portion defining with the respective top walls inverted channels, said channels opening Vonto the opposed ends of said portions, a connecting bar extending between said portions and having its ends telescoped into the channels, a hollow boss on each portion, said bosses each including parallel side walls integral with the respective pairs of said webs and having theircore opening onto the top surface of the respective portion, a wheel carrying bracket nested over each boss, apertured ears on said brackets one ear of each bracket seated against the bottom of the respective top wall and the other against the connecting bar, means securing the said one ear of each bracket to the respective top wal-l` rigidly, and means extending through the said other ears and through the connecting bar to secure thesaid other ears to the respective portions, said connecting barbeing slotted to receive said last named means therethrough so as to, permit adjustment of the connecting bar relative to Fh? heel and toe portions.

3. A skate comprising a Aheel rand a toe portion each opposed ends of said portions, a connecting bar extend ing between said portions and having its endstelescoped vinto the channels, a hollow boss on each portion, said bosses each including sidewalls integral withthe respective pairs of said vwebs and opening onto the top surface i -a journal bracket nested over said boss, a portion of said.

ofthe respective portion, a wheel carrying bracket ar-Q ranged below each boss, apertured ears on said brackets one seated against the bottom of the respective top Wall and the other against the connecting bar, means securing the said ears to the respective portions rigidly, the means securing one of the ears of each bracket extending through the connecting bar, and said connecting bar being slotted to receive said last named means therethrough so as to bar extendingbetween said portions and having itsendsV telescoped into the channels, a hollow boss on each portion, said Vbosses each including parallel side walls integral with the respective pairs of said webs and opening onto'.

the top surface of the respectiverportion, a wheel-carrying bracket arranged beneath eachv boss, apertured ears on said brackets one seated against the bottom of therespective top walland the other against the connecting bar, means securing one ear of eachbracket tothc'respective portions rigidly, and means extending. through the other ear of each bracket and through the connecting bar to secure the said ears `and bar to the respective portions.

5. In a skate, a portion comprising a substantially flat top wall having a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced webs on its bottom face defining with the top wall an inverted channel, said channel opening onto one end of said portion and being adapted to slidingly receive a bar partly telescoped thereinto, a hollow boss depending from said top wall, said boss bridging the channel and including side walls one integral with each web, a wheel carrying bracket nested over said boss, said bracket having ears seated one on the portion and the other on said bar, and means connecting said ears to the top wall to secure said bracket in place.

6. In a skate, a skate portion fabricated from moldable plastic material, said portion comprising a top' wall having a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced webs on its bottom face defining with the topwall an inverted channel, said channel opening onto an end of said portion and being adapted to receive a bar telescoped partly thereinto, a hollow boss depending from said top wall, said boss opening onto the top surface of ,l said top wall in the area between said webs and having having a at top wall, said portions being arranged end side walls contiguous with said webs and a bottom wall,

,y to end, a pair of laterally spaced webs integral Vwith vand said bottom wall'having surface abutment with the bar,

bracket being seated against said bar, said bracket portion being apertured and said bar having a slot in register with said aperture, and means extending through said aperture and said slot to secure said bracket portion to the. top wall firmly and to secure the bar for longitudinal adjustment relative to said skate portion and bracket.

7. In a skate, a portion fabricated from moldable plastic material, said portion comprising a top wall having a pair of laterally spaced webs on its bottom vface defining with` the top wall an inverted channel, said channel opening onto an end of said portion and being adapted to receive a bar telescoped partly thereinto, a hollow boss depending from said top wall, said boss opening onto the top surface of said top wall in the area between said webs and having side walls contiguous with said webs and a bottom wall, said bottom wall having surface abutment with said bar, a journal bracket nested over said boss, an ear on said bracket seated against and secured to said top wall, a second ear on said bracket seated against said bar, said second ear being apertured and said bar having a slot in register with said aperture, and means extending through said aperture and through said slot to secure said second ear to the top wall firmly and to secure the bar for longitudinal adjustment relative to said portion and bracket.`

S. In a skate, a footportion fabricated from plastic material, said portion comprising a top wall having an integral boss depending therefroml and spaced side walls Y extending below said boss, a bracket nested over Ysaid boss and between said side walls, said bracket comprising a substantially V-shaped strap apertured at its ends to receivemeans securingit to the bottom face of said top wall, one wall ofthe V-shaped strap having spaced apertures therein, a U-'shaped member seated against the inside face of said apertured wall with its legs extending through l #the apertures, a resilient block seated against the said wall between said legs, a U-shaped strap seated-against said block'with its end portions overlying said legs, said legs, endfportions and block having registering openings therein, apin extended through said openings for connecting said Iparts together loosely, and a wheel axle mounted firmly on said U-shaped strap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Popnlar Mechanics, November 1949, page 150. 

